The Natural

Barry Levinson

About the Movie

Nothing was going to stop Roy Hobbs from fulfilling his boyhood dream of baseball superstardom. Robert Redford stars in this inspiring fable that begins when 14-year-old Hobbs (Redford) fashions a powerful bat from a fallen oak tree. He soon impresses major league scouts with his ability, fixing his extraordinary talent in the mind of sportswriter Max Mercy (Robert Duvall), who eventually becomes instrumental in Hobb's career. But a meeting with a mysterious woman shatters his dream. Years pass and an older Hobbs reappears as a rookie from The New York Knights. Overcoming physical pain and defying those who have a stake in seeing the Knights lose, Hobbs, with his boyhood bat, has his chance to lead the Knights to the pennant and to finally fulfill his dream.

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Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews

TOMATOMETER

Top Critics' Reviews

Rotten: Though entertaining in short stretches, The Natural has no recognizable character of its own. – Vincent Canby, New York Times, May 6, 2014

Fresh: Levinson must have felt he had to swing for the fences. He can be forgiven for choking up with all The Natural's fans looking on dubiously. In fairness, the official scorer must credit him with a single. And Redford with an RBI. – Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine, Mar 21, 2011

Customer Reviews

A Classic Movie Ruined

by
RJC8757

Beware! This version is a re-edited "director's cut" where the additions actually subtract from the whole. A charmless and disjointed new beginning ruins the tone. Extra footage adds absolutely nothing and even the impact of Randy Newman's classic score is diminished in some key places. I am usually a fan of expanded versions, but sometimes... especially here... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

This is NOT The Natural

by
DameTastic

There is NO warning that this isn’t the original. This Directors recut literally ruins the movie. Ruins it because if you have seen the original then you have memories that can’t and shouldn’t be replaced. Don’t believe me? Buy and be on my side. Very disappointed, and even more disappointed that Apple wouldn’t take care of a loyal customer. You get better results from retail stores with an actual human in your face to recognize that what has happened is wrong.

the natural

by
baba_obscura

I rented rather than bought "The Natural" even though I've seen it more than a dozen times. Unfortunately, the rental only lasts 24 hours from download, so I didn't couldn't the whole movie. Be aware though, that this is not the theatrical release that most of us have seen. The first part of the movie seems to be a 'director's re-cut' and it seems disjointed. It is interesting to see the new scenes added, but I admit that I didn't like the flow of what I saw. I wish I could've seen the whole re-issue so I can give a more informed review.